Penalty heartbreak for Chennaiyin FC U18s again

The Chennaiyin FC Under 18 team lost 2-1 to Bengaluru FC in their final Under 18 Youth League fixture at the Bangalore Football Stadium here today. BFC came from behind to win courtesy a last-minute penalty after Syed Suhail Pasha had given CFC an early lead.

It was deja vu for the CFC U18s who were denied a victory against BFC in the corresponding fixture with a stoppage-time penalty allowing the side from Karnataka to make it 2-2. This time around it gave BFC all three points as it ended 2-1.

The CFC U18 team came into this one on the back of a 14-5 drubbing of RV Soccer School and were ahead in the 7th minute when Syed Suhail Pasha slotted home from inside the box to make it 1-0 to CFC. Chennaiyin skipper Zonunmawia then had a chance to double the lead but his shot went straight to the BFC keeper.

BFC then drew level with a quarter of the match gone. Biswa Kr. Dorjee connected well with a cross and found the back of the net. CFC edged out their opponents when it came to chances but finished the first half level at 1-1.

Bengaluru FC saw more of the ball after the interval but failed to beat Samik Mitra in the CFC goal despite a couple of good chances. And just as it was heading towards a second consecutive draw between both sides, the referee awarded a penalty to BFC for a handball by CFC’s Paarvin Raj in the box. Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia stepped up and converted the spot kick to give BFC the lead in the 88th minute, who held on for all three points.

This match brings an end to the CFC U18s’ Youth League campaign that sees them finish third with a tally of 14 points from their eight group matches.